Our History

History

Andhra Pradesh is a state on the southeastern coast of India.

History tells us that the Andhrites migrated to southern India from the banks of the Yamuna River in northern India. The region got its name from the Satavahanas, the so-called Andhrites, the first kings of Andhra Pradesh and India.

History tells us that the Balijas (Balija dynasty) adopted the naval trade and naval occupation long before the Pallavas ruled Andhra Pradesh. During the reign of the Satavahana emperors, Emperor Ashok, Balijale first sailed from Andhra Pradesh to trade abroad and propagate Buddhism.

Andhrites traded along the coast of India, in distant lands such as Greece and Rome, as well as in Burma, Naym, China, and the East Sea islands.

The mouth of the Krishna River was the center of intercontinental trade. The ports of Ghansala, Korangi and Gudur on the coast of Andhra Pradesh were important ports and trading centers.

The country of Kalinga was ruled for a long time by the kings of the Ganga dynasty. Srimukhalinga Temple, located on the banks of the Vansadhara River, is known as the city of Kalinga. From here much of the shipping trade took place. The Kalingandhras were great adventurers.

Hundreds of ships sailed to Burma, Nayam, Cambodia, the Malay Peninsula, Java, and the Sumitra Islands.

The Gangarajas built the Srikuram Mukhalingam, the Puri Jagannath Temple and the Sun Temple in Konark.

In the Bhagavatam, Vishnu Purana and Brahmanda Puranas, the Balijas are said to be Kshatriyas of the Chandra dynasty.

By the time of the Kakatiya kings, Nayaka kings, Reddy kings and Vijayanagara kings, the Balijas were a variety of traders. History has shown that doing business established good relations with the royal family and in some cases the village administration also passed on to the victims.

By the 5th - 6th century BC, the marine trade abroad, the Balijas experienced and distinguished in various trades at home. Thus at the end of their names were the titles of Shrestha and Shetty.

Thus it is speculated that Shetty and Chetti may have become surnames in the Vadabalija caste Until then the Balija dynasty was all united and subsequently divided into castes according to occupations.

By doing business on ships and working as sailors, the Balijas were transformed into ships. Since then the Odabalija have spread into a caste. Over time, Odabalija became known in government records as 'Vadabalija'.

Some of the victims who traded on ships were specially traded in gems, hence the name gem victims. Although some of the wealthy members of the Vadabalija caste were circulating as Ratna Balija, the name Ratnabalija remained nominal as there was no government recognition for Ratnabalija by caste.

Due to the fact that the victims do various professional trades, they are known as Pagadalabalija, Perikebalija, Gajulabalija, Thotabalija, Rallabalija, Gandavarabalija, Gonuguntla Balija, Poolabalija, Pusalabalija, Sevakulabalija, Kunkumabalija, Uppubalija and Akulabalija.

Chokkachinnayya Naidu, Piradisathirajunayudu, Donkagovindarajunayudu, Meruvu Parushuramunayudu, Rasamsetti, Gandhavariki and Toladivari of Kakinada had sailing ships (merchant ships). Vadabalija traders in Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Ganjam districts do not have their own sailing vessels.

Garikinasathirajunayudu, Pukkella Satyanarayana Nayudu, Sodipalli Masenunayudu, Donkavenkataraju and Brothers, K. Ammoru and others from Kakinada Jagannathapura had cargo boats.

Most of the financially settled people are the ones who write their name as Naidu at the end of the day. That series is still going on in some.

Shipbuilding took place at Motupalli, Ghantasala, Gudur, Korangi, Thallarevu, Odalarevu and other port areas.

From here, based on their shipping and naval occupations, the Vadabalija people migrated from the Godavari River to the sea up to about 500 miles across the sea, i.e. to the Mahanadi in the state of Utkal, and settled in coastal towns and villages.

The Andhra Marine Boat Union was formed in 1952 by the owners of Vadabalija and other cargo boats in Kakinada.

Vadabalija societies have been established in Sompeta, Barua, Mettur, Gunupalli, Akkupalli, Baipalli, Srikakulam, Kalingapatnam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Uppada etc. to serve the people.

Vadabalija clans are thriving in the community with the following surnames.